Day 6 -Passage

We're Bermuda bound. It is a good place to stay for a couple of days while a low pressure system with high winds passes by. Bermuda is only about 40 nm away but we don't want to enter the harbor at night so will wait until morning. We weren't planning on stopping in Bermuda so don't even have a guide book. Luckily, our friends on sv Skylark came to our rescue with detailed information. I think everyone is looking forward to a little break from the boat and some beach time. One flying fish has landed on the deck, other wise we haven't seen much wildlife. We made 122 nm today in light winds with some motoring in the night.

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Day 5-Passage

You would think that we wouldn't have to worry about lobster pots hundreds of miles offshore. But no, we almost hit one about an hour ago. We've had no wind all day and thus have been motoring. There is a slight chance that we may divert to Bermuda due to weather. We'll make the decision in the morning once we have more information. Right now the ocean is eerily calm, like glass. The temperature keeps getting warmer. It was in the mid 80's all day. The water maker is working so we all got to take showers. Ypee! Sterling and I have been waiting with wasabi in hand hoping that he'll catch a fish. There have been plenty of bites and lost lures but no sushi on board. We've progressed 110 nm since yesterday.
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Lobster pot in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean

Day 4 - Passage

We're still plagued by light winds out of the South, but using them to get as far east as possible before making a turn south. We haven't seen another boat since early yesterday evening, when Pablo made contact with a tanker that was about one half of a mile away. The girls have been watching the new Harry Potter movie, doing projects, reading and playing games. Wishing I had a few more hands so that I could hold onto the boat and actually do things at the same time. Pretend like you are swaying 20 deg from side to side and pour hot water into a thermos which really requires 2 hands. Nothing that is set down stays where it is placed unless it is bolted down. The kids have caught on that they have to hold their dinner plate with one hand and eat with the other.
It is in the low 80's so most of us spent the day in shorts. Sterling is still waiting for it to warm up. Pablo is really enjoying Sterling as expert crew and we're all really enjoying his company. We accomplished 116 nm in the past 24 hours.
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Day 3- Passage

It is warm!!! It was amazing to watch the water temperature go from 50's to 78 F in a couple of hours as we passed through the Gulf Stream yesterday. The air temperature increased as well and is much more comfortable at 77F. I, probably too optimistically, put away our winter hats, mittens and layers of fleece. We've been in unfavorable currents and light winds for most of the day so progress was only 117 nm. Mia lost a tooth so we're hoping to get a position report to the toothfairy before nightfall.
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Remi kicking back

Day 2 Passage

We sailed all day yesterday and thru the night under the jib alone. The winds were behind us so it was easier not to deal with the main sail. We motored for 3 hours this morning when the winds died. We've progressed 135 nm so far, only another 1200 to go. The night was clear and well lit by the moon. There are a lot of sailboats around us, usually have at least five in sight. A tiny bird, that the girls named Fiddlesticks, explored the boat for a couple of hours. He liked Sterling especially and sat on him and took a nap on a pillow next to him. Everyone seems happy and getting into the swing of the passage.
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Sterling is getting used to the northern latitudes

The brothers

Sterl and Fiddlesticks

Day 1 Passage

We left Hampton, VA today at 10:30 am. Conditions are rolly. We've sailed all day under the jib alone, making between 6-8 knots. We are REALLY looking forward to warmer conditions. We have all of our winter gear on and its still chilly. No other complaints, everyone seems pretty happy to be underway.
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Day 118- Hampton, VA

The weather looks promising for a departure to the Caribbean on 11/11/11.  We spent the day motoring south to Hampton, VA to be closer to our exit point to the Atlantic Ocean.  There was little to no wind and it was a very grey day.  The only excitement was when a big (over 100 ft) Navy hovercraft buzzed around us.

Hampton is packed with cruising boats.  Many are part of the Caribbean 1500 race/rally.  Others are participating in the Salty Dog Rally.  Most have been waiting since the beginning of the month for a good weather window and seems like everyone is planning to leave tomorrow.  There may be a traffic jam...

Navy hovercraft

Another in-depth weather discussion